BORP hosted the first-ever Adaptive SportsFest on Saturday, October 11, 2014. It was an awesome day. Over 75 people with disabilities showed up with another 50+ families and friends. Over 20 volunteers made kayaking, cycling, and climbing on No Limits 30 foot outdoor climbing wall possible for everyone. A majority of the participants were first time BORP participants and many were out for their first sporting activity after a recent injury. One young lady got to ride a bike and paddle a kayak one week out of rehab and 9 weeks after a quad level SCI. So gutsy, and so cool! We had awesome support by a crew of kayak guides from our colleagues at non-profit ETC. Former BORP board president Kristi Grotting came out to be safety kayaker and tandem kayak guide. It couldn’t have been a better day. Photos can be seen on BORP’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152343251045764.1073741828.24407835763&type=1

Joy, a BORP cyclist who was helping the kayaking offered this:

“Saturday was a huge success and it went off so well. I talked with so many people who had never kayaked, or biked, or climbed before…ever!”

Days like SportsFest open the doors of possibility to so many people living with disabilities and their families. It also provides a day for people with disabilities to network and meet others.

Sportfest introduced kayaking in a can-do way. One woman with CP who tried kayaking for the first time needed an adaptive grip for one hand. She was barely dipping the paddle in the water, and only one side at a time. The instructor talked her into holding the paddle blade up and down when it went into the water. Then he talked her into putting the blade into the water and drawing it back. Then she started to alternate dipping the blade to the left and right. Once she got the hang of it and the rhythm she could have gone on for hours. When she got out of the boat she had the biggest smile on her face, because she had really paddled the boat!

Then there was Michael, who drove down by himself from Reno. He was injured (T10) a year ago. He has an amazing attitude for a newly injured person. No looking back for him. He never says, “I used to…”. As he got in the kayak, he admitted that he had never paddled before. After some basic instruction, he had it immediately. A natural. Michael and the guide stayed out on the water serving as a safety boat for about 2 hours and Michael was thrilled.

On top of everything the weather was just right and the Blue Angels did a fly by. What more can you ask for?

Thanks to all the participants, volunteers, family, friends, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this amazing day! SportsFest will be back!